Tasty recipes from chef Ronit Penso's kitchen

Israeli Couscous with Mushrooms

Israeli couscous is actually a type of toasted pasta, but the best way to cook it is to treat it like rice, with measured amount of water. This way of cooking will result al-dente and separated grains.Most times I cook it plain, but sometimes, like with the recipe here, I feel like preparing a bit more interesting version. So I’ve added some mushrooms and other vegetables and the result was a quick, “all in one pot” vegetarian dish which, topped with some goat cheese, is perfect for lunch.
The dish can also be served as a tasty side dish, especially with roasted chicken. Another tasty option for any leftovers, is to mix it with eggs and flour and fry the mixture into tasty crispy patties.
Whichever way you’ll choose to make this dish, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

1. Mix the onion, oil, salt and pepper in a large pot and fry over medium-high heat until the onion softens. Add the carrot and scallions. Mix and fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and fry, mixing occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are cooked through. Add the couscous, mix well and fry for a minute. Add the water, cayenne and bay leaves. Mix and bring to the boil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Lower the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 15 minutes.
2. Turn off the heat and leave in the pot, covered, for 5 minutes before serving. Serve as is or with cheese on top.

3. To prepare the patties: depending on how much leftover you have, add 1-2 eggs and 1-2 tablespoon of flour and mix well. Preheat oil for shallow frying in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add ¼ cups of the mixture to the hot oil and flatten with a spatula. Fry until golden on both sides.

What a great way to use up the leftovers! I usually just put a runny-yolked egg in with it, and add some kind of salsa. Sometimes I just put a beat-up egg with it and let the whole thing coagulate, but I like the idea of adding flour and making patties.

If it had been served plain, how about adding onions and/or mushrooms at the patty stage? Mild green chile or tomatillo salsa on top? Or – completely different – with lots of cheese like mac ‘n’ cheese, with bits of ham??? If using a hard(er) cheese, would mac ‘n’ cheese patties be possible? Can you tell we love crispy cheese? ;->

Thank you Judie, I’m glad you liked the dish.
Here I used the leftovers from this specific dish for the patties but obviously you can add any ingredient you like. I like the idea of crispy cheesy patties. 🙂

Thank you Greg, I’m glad you like the dish. It turned out very tasty and worth writing down the recipe for.
The patties were a great hit. By now I make more than needed, just to have enough leftovers to make them! 🙂

By the way, your acquaintances may not know what “Israeli couscous” is – as it is the term used here in the States to differentiate it from regular couscous. They may refer to it by the Israeli term “Petitim” פתיתים.

Thank you, Ronit, I’ll have to look into the spelt version. I quite agree about the texture, but if you have ever seen photos of my husband in my posts, you’ll understand my reason for avoiding carbs as much as possible.

Beautiful Ronit. It looks like you and I have been on the same food wavelength lately. I too love Israeli couscous, love how it feels on your tongue. I usually roast my veggies with lots of fresh herbs, olive oil and juices. There’s nothing like it is there? I like the idea of the patties too, I have some leftover quinoa and will try it out.

You have some very tasty looking dishes there Ronit. The fried with egg version looks really good. I like to make op the couscous on chicken stock and add herbs (lots of herbs) to make a side for chicken. It’s a lovely and rarely used dish here in Ireland.

Thank you Conor, I’m glad you liked the dish. I too like to make couscous in varies ways. It’s a wonderful side dish. Growing up in Israel, Israeli couscous was the most common pasta and it is still my go-to comfort food. 🙂

Perfect! I’ve been looking for a couscous recipe that I could throw together relatively easily and you’ve just supplied a great one, Ronit. Love the combination of ingredients that you’ve used here. I think I’ve just found a new go-to side dish. Thanks!

Thank you Josette, this version is one of my favorites and I’m glad you liked it.
It is indeed so great it is now easily available. It’s such a versatile and easy to prepare ingredient. I make it often. 🙂

Thank you Pushpita, I’m glad you liked the dish.
If you have any other type of small pasta, you can use it. However, it will not hold its shape like the Israeli couscous does, as it is a toasted and drier type of pasta.
I hope you will still like the result. I’ll be happy to read about your version. 🙂